Bethenny Frankel is sharing a deeply personal health update with her followers. The former “The Real Housewives of New York” star revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage two chronic kidney disease after a series of medical tests prompted her to seek specialist care.
Bethenny, who has long been candid about her life both on and off reality television, explained that the diagnosis came after she made a decision to be more proactive about her health. In an Instagram video, she told fans she wanted to share the news not to cause worry, but to encourage others to take preventative steps.
“So I have a medical announcement,” Bethenny said. “Not because I want you to worry, because I want you to take precautions in your own life, be mindful.”
Bethenny Frankel Says Blood Tests Led to the Diagnosis
Bethenny Frankel reveals that she has stage 2 chronic kidney disease. pic.twitter.com/GNYt9bviQL
— Bye Wig Hello Drama (@HousewivesHub) January 23, 2026
Bethenny explained that she began scheduling routine health screenings, including blood work and bone density tests, after hearing others discuss the importance of early detection.
“I started to take a series of blood tests,” she said. “And each time my kidney function was coming up low.”
Despite initially wanting to postpone her appointment with a kidney specialist, Bethenny said her team encouraged her to follow through.
“I didn’t feel like going today,” she admitted. “But my team said, ‘Your kidney function was low, so you should go.’”
At the appointment, the doctor confirmed she has stage two chronic kidney disease.
Former RHONY Star Connects Diagnosis to Past Health Trauma
Bethenny said her doctor explained there could be multiple reasons behind the diagnosis, including a serious allergic reaction she experienced years ago.
“He said it could be a function of this traumatic experience I had years ago, and I almost died from an allergy attack,” she shared. “It could have done damage to the kidney. It could be autoimmune.”
She also acknowledged habits that may have contributed, including chronic dehydration.
“I don’t drink a lot of water, you guys know that,” Bethenny said. “He said, ‘Water is your medicine.’”
According to Bethenny, her doctor recommended drinking about a liter and a half of water per day and avoiding certain medications.
“He said, ‘You can’t have Ibuprofen or Aleve or Advil,’” she recalled, adding that turmeric was also on the list of things to avoid.
Bethenny said she plans to continue monitoring her kidney function and hopes lifestyle changes may help improve her levels.
“I have severe dehydration,” she explained. “I’m trying to tell him everything so we can be ahead of it.”
While she acknowledged the condition could be long-term, Bethenny emphasized why she chose to share the news publicly.
“Maybe this is something I’ll have to deal with forever,” she said. “But I just want to tell you, because I think it’s important to go get all your blood work done.”
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My CKD blood levels were low in November 2025. I just got over sepsis from chronic uti’s and bladder infections from kidney stones. My liver function test are normal,but the Chronic Kidney Disease CKD blood test came back low. I drink low sodium electrolytes now. Because dehydration definitely causes issues with kidneys and uti. I take potassium citrate to flush stones or crystals out.